Decoding Morals: Why We Think and Act the Way We Do
Decoding Morality: Vertical vs. Horizontal Morality and Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivations
In this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the complexities of our moral compass by exploring the dimensions of vertical versus horizontal morality and intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Through real-life scenarios and psychological theories, the episode examines how our upbringing, cultural background, and neurological processes influence our ethical decisions. Additionally, the discussion offers practical insights into how understanding these moral frameworks can improve communication, conflict resolution, and personal well-being in both personal and professional settings.
00:00 Introduction to Moral Frameworks
01:23 Understanding Vertical and Horizontal Morality
05:59 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
09:18 The Neuroscience of Moral Decision-Making
11:53 Clashing Moral Systems
13:33 Moral Education and Future Generations
15:31 The Impact of Technology on Morality
18:02 Applying Moral Insights in Daily Life
19:47 Conclusion and Reflection
References underpinning this episode:
Amodio, D. M., & Frith, C. D. (2006). Meeting of minds: The medial frontal cortex and social cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 7(4), 268-277.
In this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the complexities of our moral compass by exploring the dimensions of vertical versus horizontal morality and intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Through real-life scenarios and psychological theories, the episode examines how our upbringing, cultural background, and neurological processes influence our ethical decisions. Additionally, the discussion offers practical insights into how understanding these moral frameworks can improve communication, conflict resolution, and personal well-being in both personal and professional settings.
00:00 Introduction to Moral Frameworks
01:23 Understanding Vertical and Horizontal Morality
05:59 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
09:18 The Neuroscience of Moral Decision-Making
11:53 Clashing Moral Systems
13:33 Moral Education and Future Generations
15:31 The Impact of Technology on Morality
18:02 Applying Moral Insights in Daily Life
19:47 Conclusion and Reflection
References underpinning this episode:
Amodio, D. M., & Frith, C. D. (2006). Meeting of minds: The medial frontal cortex and social cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 7(4), 268-277.
Bicchieri, C., & Muldoon, R. (2011). Social norms. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Blasi, A. (1980). Bridging moral cognition and moral action: A critical review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 88(1), 1-45.
Decety, J., & Cowell, J. M. (2014). Friends or foes: Is empathy necessary for moral behavior? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 9(5), 525-537.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
Gibbs, J. C., Basinger, K. S., & Fuller, D. (1992). Moral maturity: Measuring the development of sociomoral reflection.
Graham, J., Haidt, J., Koleva, S., Motyl, M., Iyer, R., Wojcik, S. P., & Ditto, P. H. (2013). Moral foundations theory: The pragmatic validity of moral pluralism. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 47, 55-130.
Greene, J. D. (2015). The rise of moral cognition. Cognition, 135, 39-42.
Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Pantheon.
Huesmann, L. R., & Guerra, N. G. (1997). Children's normative beliefs about aggression and aggressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(2), 408-419.
Keltner, D., & Kogan, A. (2014). The science of compassion: Origins, measures, and interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 287-313.
Kohlberg, L. (1981). The philosophy of moral development: Moral stages and the idea of justice. Harper & Row.
Narvaez, D. (2010). Moral complexity: The fatal attraction of truthiness and the importance of mature moral functioning. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(2), 163-181.
Rest, J. R. (1986). Moral development: Advances in research and theory.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Schwartz, S. H., & Rubel-Lifschitz, T. (2009). Cross-national variation in the size of sex differences in values: Effects of gender equality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97(1), 171-185.
Smetana, J. G. (2006). Social-cognitive domain theory: Consistencies and variations in children's moral and social judgments. In M. Killen & J. G. Smetana (Eds.), Handbook of moral development (pp. 119-153).
Tangney, J. P., Stuewig, J., & Mashek, D. J. (2007). Moral emotions and moral behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 345-372.
Twenge, J. M., Baumeister, R. F., DeWall, C. N., Ciarocco, N. J., & Bartels, J. M. (2007). Social exclusion decreases prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(1), 56-66.
Vohs, K. D., & Schooler, J. W. (2008). The value of believing in free will: Encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating. Psychological Science, 19(1), 49-54.
Welch, M. R., Rivera, R. E. N., Conway, B. P., Yonkoski, J., Lupton, P. M., & Giancola, R. (2005). Deterring delinquents: A rational choice model of theft and violence. American Sociological Review, 70(1), 95-122.
Yarkoni, T., & Westfall, J. (2017). Choosing prediction over explanation in psychology: Lessons from machine learning. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(6), 1100-1122.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★